‘Equipped to Serve’: Concordia Theological Seminary winds up spring fundraiser

Pastoral candidates walk to Kramer Chapel for the “call day” service at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., on April 25. The seminary is hosting a fundraiser to help this year’s graduating class acquire the tools they need to begin either pastoral or diaconal service. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

On April 9, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., kicked off the “Equipped to Serve” campaign, a monthlong fundraiser with the goal of helping provide this year’s graduating class with the tools they need to either enter into the Office of Holy Ministry or begin their diaconal service.

“Stepping into the life of a pastor rather than being a seminarian, you’re expected to have a lot of things, be it … the uniform … the vestments … the communion kit that you need to go and visit your shut-ins … . Having them day one would be … very helpful, but that might not be the reality for all of us going out,” said Marshall Frisque, fourth-year M.Div. student, in a video promoting the fundraiser.

As of this writing, the campaign has raised $4,338 of its $16,200 fundraising goal, which corresponds to approximately $350 per student. With seven days remaining, there is still time to help the campaign meet its goal.

Funds will go toward the purchase of gift cards to allow students to acquire exactly what they need — from communion sets, to stoles, to additional books for learning, to updated technology for sermon and Bible-study prep.

As servants of mercy, deaconesses have an even wider range of needs, depending on whom they’re serving, from children to the elderly, and where: in national and international locations, from schools, to congregations, to medical and other settings.

Incentives are available in the form of matching-gift opportunities and donor-appreciation gifts for giving levels from $5 to $350. To learn more, or to donate, visit ctsfw.edu/equipped or watch the video below. Donations also may be made by phone at 877-287-4338 or mail to 6600 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46825.

Posted April 30, 2018